Kaprelian gives nothing

Beckman's James Kaprielian pitches a no-hitter against University during a Pacific Coast League game Tuesday. Beckman beat University, 6-0. STEVEN GEORGES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Beckman's James Kaprielian said he knew early May 1 how good his stuff was.

His coach Kevin Lavalle said he noticed the "look" from Kaprielian as the team was boarding the bus.

In the end, Kaprielian responded with a no-hitter his second of the season, leading Beckman (17-3, 9-3) to a 6-0 Pacific Coast League victory over University (16-6, 8-4), which had its nine-game winning streak snapped.

"As soon as I got the strikeout in the first inning, I was ready to go," Kaprielian said. "I kind of felt it."

The UCLA-bound right-hander started the seventh with a perfect game intact, but University lead-off hitter Mako Allbee tapped a ground ball to third that hit off the third baseman's glove, allowing Allbee to reach. The first ruling on the scoreboard was a hit. Moments later, it was switched to an error.

"That's happened to me about three, maybe four times within the past two years," Kaprielian said. "It (a perfect game or no-hitter) gets blown in the seventh inning, but we got the win and that's the most important thing, and I'm lucky enough to take a no-hitter away with it."

After Allbee reached, Kaprielian did what had done all game, retired the Trojans in order to end the game. He finished with nine strikeouts.

In his past three starts, Kaprielian has pitched two no-hitters and one-hitter. In his past five starts, he has allowed six hits and one run in 35 innings.

"Not only is he the best pitcher I've ever coached, he's probably the best athlete I've coached," Lavalle said. "He does everything right from the time he steps on the field."

Beckman's James Kaprielian pitches a no-hitter against University during a Pacific Coast League game Tuesday. Beckman beat University, 6-0. STEVEN GEORGES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Beckman's Alex Shenasi slides safely at the plate as University catcher Cam Matin reaches out without the ball in his glove in the fourth inning. Beckman went on to win, 6-0. STEVEN GEORGES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Beckman's James Kaprielian pitches a no-hitter against University during a Pacific Coast League game Tuesday. STEVEN GEORGES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
University's Austin Bourassa throws to first base to turn a double play in the first inning as Beckman's Connor Deneen slides into second base. STEVEN GEORGES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Zack Rivera (8) of Beckman catches a foul ball for the third out in the 2nd inning of a Pacific Coast League baseball game at University High. Beckman went on to beat University 6-0. STEVEN GEORGES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Zack Rivera (8) of Beckman steals second base in the 3rd inning as Mako Allbee (6) of University waits for the ball. STEVEN GEORGES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Itai Reuveni (9) of University pitches against Beckman during a Pacific Coast League baseball game at University High. STEVEN GEORGES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
James Kaprielian (11) of Beckman pitches a no hitter against University during a Pacific Coast League baseball game with only an error in the 7th inning that allowed a University batter to get to first.Beckman beat University 6-0. STEVEN GEORGES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Connor Deneen (13) of Beckman gets caught in a pickle as Mako Allbee (6) of University, left, makes the tag for the third out in the top of the 3rd inning during a Pacific Coast League baseball game at University High. STEVEN GEORGES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Taketo Kai (33) of University pitches in the 7th inning against Beckman during a Pacific Coast League baseball game at University High. STEVEN GEORGES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Beckman's James Kaprielian pitches a no-hitter against University on Tuesday. STEVEN GEORGES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Beckman's James Kaprielian smiles after pitching a no-hitter against University during a Pacific Coast League game Tuesday. STEVEN GEORGES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Taketo Kai stands above the rest of his University teammates at the start of a Pacific Coast League game against Beckman on Tuesday. STEVEN GEORGES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Beckman pitcher James Kaprielian throws to first for the second out in the fourth inning Tuesday. STEVEN GEORGES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Beckman's Garret Brown throws to first for the second out in the sixth inning Tuesday. STEVEN GEORGES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Jennifer Moore, an English teacher at University for 15 years, throws the ceremonial first pitch at the start of the Trojans' game against Beckman on Tuesday. STEVEN GEORGES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A Beckman baseball logo is stitched on the back of each baseball cap. STEVEN GEORGES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Beckman players watch from the dugout as James Kaprielian pitches a no-hitter against University on Tuesday. STEVEN GEORGES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Beckman's Grant Barring catches a fly ball for the last out of the game Tuesday, securing a no-hitter for James Kaprielian. Beckman beat University, 6-0. STEVEN GEORGES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Beckman coach Kevin Lavalle talks to his players after they defeated University, 6-0, on Tuesday. STEVEN GEORGES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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